As the countdown to the New Year begins, it’s time to take a sneak peek into some of Qatar’s upcoming attractions that are all set to take centre stage in the country in 2019.
So, whether you are looking for role-playing, video games, snow in Qatar, the stars, or just want to shop till you drop, these new attractions in 2019 should have you thrilled and very, very excited.
Read on for more information on these upcoming attractions and you can tell us which one you are most excited about!
18 December 2018 will see the opening of yet another major and much awaited attraction in Qatar. The Al Thuraya Planetarium, also known as the the 'Planetarium of the Astronomical Chandelier’, one of the most high-tech planetariums in the region at the Katara Cultural Village, will fill an area of 2,240 sq.m.
It's anticipated that this world-class planetariam and astronomical observatory will become one of Katara's main attractions and will offer visitors, especially students, families and astronomy enthusiasts, a blend of education and entertainment.
The planetarium will have be able to seat 200 people; there will be four seats for the disabled and another four for the senior citizens. It will also feature a large 22-metre screen which will be fully equipped with state-of-the-art digital projectors. A huge terrace that overlooks the sea will serve as a platform for events and activities.
Designed by Pritzker prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel, the interlinking disc design of the National Museum of Qatar represents petals that are positioned at different angles and has been inspired by Qatar’s unique ‘desert rose’ made from gypsum deposits in a crystallized form. It evokes and depicts the life of the Qatari people between the desert and the sea. This unique one-of-a-kind museum is will open on 28 March 2018.
The museum’s structure is located on Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani’s old palace where he once lived and ran the country for 25 years. It is one of most recognisable landmarks in Qatar and serves as a monument to the historical way of life in the country which will be a fitting central exhibit within the museum once it opens.
Even though the museum has not yet opened, it has already won the prestigious ‘Façade Design and Engineering of the Year’ at the ABB LEAF Awards held in London last year and is the first project from the Gulf region to be highlighted in the ‘Best New Architectures of 2018’ listing.
Visitors to the museum will get to learn more about Qatar’s ancestors and the dhows that were once a very important part of the country’s legacy, how the early cities were formed and the transformation of the country that has led up to modern Qatari society. Exhibitions in the museum will merge historical objects with modern influences and signify the impact made by the rapid change in the Qatari lifestyle.
Snow Dunes is all set to open its doors at the Doha Festival City in 2019. This Arabian themed winter wonderland is perfect for all the winter lovers out there and also for those who have never experienced snow before.
At Snow Dunes, you can enjoy the feeling of real snow falling thanks to the cutting-edge snow-making system along with the different slides, slopes, carousel and savour the karak that’s always brewing. It’ll be the kind of place you’ll keep coming back to you with your friends and family especially when you want to cool down in the peak of Qatar summers!
Juniverse is an innovative theme park and the world’s first city in space opening soon at Doha Festival City. Children ages 4-14 will have an opportunity to play and explore the careers of tomorrow in a futuristic city. Here, children can become a doctor, engineer, or even fashion designer - all in the same day with over 45 role-play activities and rides spanning over 6,000 square metres.
Another upcoming attraction at Doha Festival City is the land of video games, ‘Viruocity’. It promises to be a one-of-a-kind gamers paradise for all the gamers out there. This futuristic gaming city offers everything from racing simulators and all sorts of video games to 60-minute escape rooms where you solve puzzles to break out of a locked room, an eSports gaming Coliseum to different local and international gaming competitions and tournaments all through the year. There is something for every gamer at Virtuocity which with the game on set for 2019.
KidZania is expected to open its doors to children from 4 to 14 years of age in the first quarter of 2019. Located in the Aspire Zone, this interactive children’s city where children can indulge in the role play of 60+ exciting ‘adult’ careers in more than 42 different ‘real’ establishments and explore a scaled city that spans over 5,500 square metres, will teach the children to learn values like team work, integrity, self-reliance and honesty.
Activities range from doctor, dentist, police officer, firefighter, actor and singer. KidZania offers real-life fun activities in a safe and secured kid-sized city with its own currency, economy, ideals and positivity for a better world.
Katara Plaza is an upcoming luxury commercial center in the heart of Katara Cultural Village and is scheduled to open its doors to the public in 2019.From the landscaping the sandstone building and the interconnected walkways, Katara Plaza is all about enriching the retail experience.
The Plaza will be Qatar's first outdoor venue that's air-conditioned. The air-conditioned outdoor experience will make the plaza a pleasant, all-year-round destination, undisturbed by changing weather.
With wide open spaces and surroundings, Katara Plaza will be one of the Qatar’s main shopping venues, complementing the Katara Cultural Village experience with shopping, entertainment, wellness and hospitality. The Plaza is approximately 35,000 square metres in size and will house high-end retail shops and designer brands, departmental stores, office spaces, services apartments and food outlets.
Among the main highlights of Katara Plaza, will be the internationally popular Galeries Lafayette, the new Evian Spa, as well the first-of-its-kind and unique Children's Mall which will specialise in children’s retail and entertainment.
The Children’s Mall which is the first of its kind development in Qatar will be unwrapped in 2019. It can be seen from afar because of its unique design; it's shaped like a gift box complete with wrapping paper and is sure to become one of the star attractions of Katara.
The Children’s Mall is specifically built to cater to children’s needs for entertainment and education, along with retailers that will specifically tailor to children's needs. Additionally, visitors will find a kids saloon, kids perfumery and kids accessories, as well as a large candy store and several handicrafts stations.
This gift-shaped mall will bring the concept of 'edutainment' to life with a combination of fun and educational games, and a strong emphasis on interactive elements. Parents will be able to take their children to the mall for a full day of activities, while they complete the shopping they need. Among the edutainment features, the Children’s Mall will have a junior lab steam concept and the interactive lobby where kids can enjoy a host of activities and learn new concepts.
Situated in the very heart of Doha’s Education City, the Education City Golf Club will be Qatar’s newest world-class golfing and leisure destination. It’s all set to tee off in early 2019.
What sets the Education City Golf Club apart is its revolutionary approach towards encouraging the participation of individuals of all ages, lifestyles and abilities. So, whether you’re a seasoned golfer or someone who doesn’t quite know where to begin, there will be something for everyone at this world-class Golf Club, whether its beginner teaching programmes, short game formats, innovative technology, or a cutting-edge Championship 18-hole course. Everyone is a Golfer at this Club!
What do you think about these new attractions? Are you excited about all the new things coming your way in 2019? Which attraction are you looking forward to most? Do let us know your thoughts in our Comments section. Share and like the article - it keeps us going!
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